This past week I was in my hometown of Brampton Ontario, home to the best poutine in the country, (I am slightly biased, but who cares). From September to April there is always good basketball to be spotted in the city. A community that in the last 20 years has doubled in population from 250,000 to over 560,000. If Toronto is the central city in Canada where everything flows through, then Brampton is the epicentre of basketball, and St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic the quintessential school to develop at.

d’Youville as its known, or simply Dy, has only been in existence as a Secondary School since 2002 but in its short lifespan has a first class resume. Included in that resume are; 3 Junior boys ROPSAA titles in 5 years, 5 Senior boys ROPSAA titles in previous 7 years, and 10 OFSAA births. Notable players to come out of the program include:

  • Tristan Thompson, 4th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Sim Bhullar, (Sacramento Kings/Reno Bighorns)
  • Manny Sahota (Cornell University)
  • Jabs Newby (Mississauga Power) NBDL 
  • Warren Ward (Mississauga Power) NBDL 

What does it take to build a first class program like d’youville has, in a league like ROPSAA that has 69 schools all vying to be known as the best basketball program in all of Peel Region?

According to Coach Mike Mackenzie of the Junior Panthers, its consistency and hard work.

“Junior Tryouts start in the first week of school, 6 weeks of conditioning and strength training. Morning shootouts (are) available every morning from September-June (130+ mornings). 30-45 games during the year, including 7 of the best tournaments in Ontario. In the post-season there is 6-week session with a focus on core strength and skill development.”

The senior Panthers pre and post season workout schedule is just as intense as their junior counterparts. When you strive to be the best, you must emulate the best in everything you do. Defeat, for most programs, is heartbreaking and an end to a great run, and possibly dynasty. For D’youville it is the continuance for their development, something they must go through to reach their end goal, perfection. They know that failure is not falling down, but rather, remaining down where you have fallen. With talented players; 2018 5’11 G Kajon Gordon-Stephens, 2018 6’3 G Deon Ejim, (younger brother of Iowa St alumni Melvin Ejim) and 2017 6’5 G/F Jordan Lyons the future for these Panthers looks bright, real bright.

Now the Senior Panthers are off to OFSAA as the #7 seed, to attempt to do what they have never before done in their school history, claim OFSAA gold. This years field is strong, and led by St. Michael’s College, who is undefeated on Canadian soil. But if there is one thing I have learned from my years in Brampton, it is to never doubt the Panthers, who are shining brighter than ever.

For scouting info, storylines, and top prospects updates, follow me on twitter @ballinoj. This is Ballin with OJ and I am out!